Jeremiah 20 - 31: The roaring lion

- Boldness:  Jeremiah stood up to Pashur, the chief priest of the temple (Jer 20:1). For his boldness and courage, Jeremiah was thrown into the stocks, beaten, and publicly humiliated.
- Wingman:  "But God, a most fierce warrior, is at my side" (Jer 20:11). At a low point, this truth comforted Jeremiah. I'm going to hang onto this one too for when I next need it.
- Are you kidding me?  Pashur, the chief priest who publicly punished Jeremiah, came back to ask Jeremiah for help against Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. Jeremiah couldn't help him; it was too late.
- Can't claim ignorance:  Israel could never say they hadn't been warned. Multiple prophets explained in detail the coming judgment. How could the people ignore this?
- Don't be a know-it-all:  "Don't pretend that you know all the answers yourselves and talk like you know it all" (Jer 28:37-38). Ouch.
- The Lion:  When angry, "God roars like a lion from high heaven" (Jer 25:30). At the SF Zoo, the lions are in a Lion House with marble floors, and when it's feeding time, their roars echo and resonate throughout the zoo. It's an incredible sound and makes your heart pound. There's a vibration in the air that's hard to describe.
- More boldness:  Jeremiah stood up to a false prophet named Hananiah (Jer 28) who was giving the people false hope. The people were not happy.
- Faithful:  God told his people, "I've never quit loving you and never will" (Jer 31:2-6).
- The Master Gardener:  Jer 31:27 says that God plants people and animals in their place & time like a farmer plants seeds.

Elena's verse of the day:  "I am everywhere--both near and far, in heaven and on earth. There are no secret places where you can hide from me" (Jeremiah 23:23-24)